AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Phoenix Mountains Preserve

#100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail

2.4 mi · ▲ 315 ft · 57 min

#100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail is a 2.4-mile out-and-back in Phoenix Mountains Preserve near Heritage Highlands, AZ. It climbs 315 ft, with sections as steep as 15% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi1,424 – 1,690 ft · steepest grade: 15%2.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 33.59819, -112.06683
Nearest town Heritage Highlands, AZ
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

#100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail

2.4 mi · ▲ 315 ft · 57 min

Elevation 1,423–1,690 ft

Out & Back · Phoenix Mountains Preserve

Trailhead: 33.59819, -112.06683

Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 101°F / low 82° · precip 6% · wind 5 mph · sunrise 6:05 AM · sunset 6:51 PM

Transit-accessible: stop 366 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading E.
  2. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  3. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  4. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  5. 50 ftSharp right, heading SE.
  6. 200 ftBear left, heading S.
  7. 50 ftTurn left onto #100 - Charles M. Christiansen Trail, heading S.
  8. 0.2 miTurn left, heading E.
  9. 1.5 miBear right, heading NW.
  10. 250 ftBear left, heading NW.
  11. 0.3 miTurn left, heading S.
  12. 0.2 miTurn right, heading SW.
  13. 50 ftBear right, heading SW.
  14. 200 ftSharp left, heading W.
  15. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  16. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  17. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  18. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/100-charles-m-christiansen-trail-out-back-4-km-6dae

Trail surface

98% dirt2% paved

Weather

OvercastTemperature 101°F82°
Feels like95°Precip6%Wind5 mphUV8Humidity28%
Rained 0.1″ 4 days ago
Hourly temperature
105°80°
Sunrise 6:05 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM9 PMSunset 6:51 PM
Sat 101°80°
Sun 102°78°
Mon 103°91°
Tue 105°93°
Wed 103°90° 20%
Thu 101°85° 27%

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.0 mi in (~33 min). Leave by 5:59 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: stop 366 m from the trailhead
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Heritage Highlands, Arizona